Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-22
story.
Scottish Amorican.l

Manypooplc do not like eats, and for
this reason Tire animals often fare badly.
J have often thought that if cats had
thcTower Of speech many bitter things
would be said 10y them about the way
they are treated. In some families
thew are half starved, and kicked and
cuftd if they hut venture to come into
the kitchen lor a mouthful of food.
am a ine friend to the we'll
trained lou,e-cat, and | have
q theory OF my own in regard to making
them an orderly. useful appendage in
my own household. If cat is ten
denly reared there is no animal more
demon stratiyC in its show of affection
than Tie cat Our house, which is a
farmhouse, was without cat, and, rs
| did not want a full-grown one, |
looked about re for kitten free from
bad habits, tat 1 might train him up
according 10 my own individual cat
,hcolv.
After a little delay my grandson Her
bert brought me his beautiful kitten,
which. I fear, cost him some heart
paupa 10 give mp to another. The kit
len bore the name of Dick. to which /
added EvelIi4ht. to distinguish him
from Dick the canary. Dicks coat is of
q glossy ict-black, with theoyception of
a white spot on the breast, which gives
him the appearance of wearinga biband
collar. His feet are also pure white,
which makes him look as ii he had
iust drawn on q pair of white gloves and
pair Of white socks. He is 50 curious
IL marked and so bright and attractive
that he eXcites general admiration.
But while beauty is not to be despised,
Il il is not accompanied with CORE
spoudipe qualities it passes for little
or nothing. Dick is an intelligent
kitten, and already knows many things
that have been taught him.
He is not allowed to go into the
milk.ccllar, and so he stations himself
on the top step and patiently awaits
bis portion of new milk, which is
poured into a dish by the kitchen door.
He is full Of fun and frolic. and just de
LIGHTS to lie on Il newly-made bed, and
play hide and seek under the pillows, or
pretend be is bouncing upon an ina
Qinaly mouse. Dicks worse fenlt is
following children home. He dearly
loves children, and will play hours at
time with them. He will pull their
curls. and softly bite their chubby
cheeks and dimpled chins and race
around the room with them, and If not
closely watched 90 home with them.
One Of my cat theories is that cats
should stay at home. and | have re.
monstrated with Dick until | am
almost discouraged. One day said to
lin: "You naughty Dick, you are
perfect disappointment to me, and you
will never amount to much unless You
mend your ways" Soon after he
brought a young rat in and laid it
triumphantly at my feet, while his
linking yellow eyes seemed to say
"What do you think of this exploit,
mistress? Does this look as if L shall
be disappointment TO you or never
amount to anything?"
One evening not long since, upon
starting out at dusk to attend "A garden
party in the neighborhood, Dick
showed unmistakable signs of accom-
ranyipg me, to which, of course, |
strongly objected, and drove him back
several times. l at length congratula-
ted myself on being mistress of the
situation for once at all events, when
Judge Of my establishment to find that
Dick had stealthily followed me, and
had arrived on the grounds nearly at
the same time that i did. tie was the
eayest of the gay among the children.
who nearly all had friendly pat for
him, and when the band discoursed
sweet music none (apparontly) appre-
ciated it mere than he. But as a cat at
an evening entertainment is not strictly
in accordance with the usages OF good
society, 1 had him taken home and
locked up in the back kitchen.
But Dicks last exploit in following
people home nearly ended in disas-
trous results. One day two little girls
LEFT here late in the afternoon, and as
Dick was not watched he went with
them to their home. The parents, 90
oompsnied by the children, started ont
coon after to take trip to visit relatives
some three miles away Dick, who
had been watching fora chance 10 see the